Lifejackets maintenance

[FlyingDutchman]

Early this year we bought new Seago automatic 175 N lifejackets.
They have spent the summer in the cabin locker.
Is there any maintenance needed already? I understand they are operated by some sort of salt pill. Do these need replacement?

 

[Skyva_2]

Have a look here:

http://rnli.org.uk/assets/documents/Sea%20Safety/Caring%20for%20your%20Lifejacket.pdf

Check the cylinder tightness regularly - its disturbing how easily it works loose.

There are other safety education resources on the site which are very good, and free.

 

[PeterGibbs]

Apart from the normal TLC attention, I inflate mine manually at the start of the season and leave them inflated overnight to ensure there are no pin prick holes etc that can threaten integrity.

PWG

 

[Ruffles]

The salt pills degrade in a damp atmosphere.

Replacing the pills is cheaper than waiting for them to auto-inflate 'cos then you have to buy a new cylinder too.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Many thanks!
I will try and get new salt pills and inflate them to check the tightness.

 

[cpedw]

How do you inflate manually? I want to test the airtightness but I don't want to breathe into them - won't that leave condensation (& halitosis?) inside the lifejacket, doing it no good?

Derek

 

[AIDY]

I use a small Lilo foot pump.

 

[Guest]

a) Weigh cylinders of jacket ... taking care when removing to keep any parts that are associated. Weight is marked on cylinder. Check end of cylinder for any damage to "weak sealed end".
b) Replace tablet / trigger part
c) Inflate jacket via mouth-tubes to reasonable level - leave for 24 hrs to see if any change.
d) Mark fabric safety check label with indelible marker - date of check.

Brush / wipe out outer cover inside and out ... make sure life-jacket is clean and dry - refold and close up.

Job done.

If unsure of cylinder weight - then buy suitable number of replacement cylinders as you have jackets .. keep as spare ... but weigh them for full reference.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

A quick internetsearch reveals, that the pills are not sold separately. They come as a set together with the gas cylinder. Total € 30,- per jacket! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
A quick internetsearch reveals, that the pills are not sold separately. They come as a set together with the gas cylinder. Total € 30,- per jacket! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh dear !! Made note of that ... I shall not be upgrading my jackets !! I have manual gas jobs ...

 

[Ruffles]

[ QUOTE ]
A quick internetsearch reveals, that the pills are not sold separately. They come as a set together with the gas cylinder. Total € 30,- per jacket! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

See here . Though I'm sure Aladdins Cave had them cheaper than that.

PS: You have to scroll to the bottom of the page for the bobbins without the bottle.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Especially if you consider the fact that I bought them in March this year at a price of € 49,- each!
A bit like my new Brother multifunctional printer / copier / scanner / fax machine. Bought 3 months ago for € 139,-.
I needed new ink cartridges last week: € 80,-! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Gin]

You might like to have a look at the cost and options of these:-

http://www.whitstablemarine.co.uk/showpartnumber.asp?CategoryID=11778&PartNumberID=91377

I believe they will fit various makes but my 100N auto's take a 33g cylinder, I think, so you may need something bigger

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Thanks for the input Gin, but as I am in the Netherlands, the cost (GBP 15,00 + postage) will be the same as the € 30,-.
i guess I will wait till it blows up and then change the whole lot.

 

[Malcb]

Check whether they are auto inflate via salt pills or auto inflate via 'hammar'.
A Hammar autoinflate depends on pressure not soluble salt pills, and thus not prone to inflation in a 'damp' atmosphere.

 

[Ruffles]

Rumour has it that the hammar don't always inflate when you hit the water. Since the re-arming kits are £25 I don't intend to put this to the test. OTOH the Halkey-Roberts jobbies tend to go off in a heavy dew. I suspect though that changing the bobbin every year may resolve this. We'll see.

BTW I have a pair of both types.

 

[PeterGibbs]

Inflation? Use the mouth piece. You can use a hand pump but beware of over inflating and waking the neighbour's dog - producing the least desirable outcome!

Halitosis... if you please...!

PWG